Osborne Park Opens New Pickleball Courts: The City of Willoughby, Ohio, recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of eight new pickleball courts at Osborne Park, located at 38575 Lakeshore Boulevard. Mayor Robert Fiala, local officials, and community members gathered to celebrate the completion of this long-anticipated project aimed at revitalizing the lakefront area.
A Major Step in Park Upgrades
Mayor Robert Fiala said this is just the beginning of bigger plans for Osborne Park and the nearby lakefront.
“There’s more to come,” he said. The grand opening of the pickleball courts marks the start of bringing new life to Osborne Park. It’s also the first step in a big plan to invest millions of dollars to improve the lakefront as part of the Osborne Park project.
The new courts are open to the public and offer space for all skill levels. The mayor pointed out that the sport has grown quickly among many age groups.
“Pickleball, we thought, was for seniors and we’re finding that kids as young as grade school are playing the sport,” Fiala said. “We don’t see it slowing down. We think it’s going to accelerate and we’re going to have to start thinking about more pickleball courts in the city.”
Community Support and Excitement
Before the courts were built, Parks and Recreation Director Judean Keller said she received many calls about the project. “I knew nothing about pickleball and now, I feel I know a little more,” she said.
Ward 1 Councilwoman Kristie Sievers also praised the courts and their impact on the neighborhood.
“It’ll definitely bring in more people with interest in our park, it’s going to help support new businesses hopefully and I think it’s going to be even better once we get the lakeshore done,” she said. “It’s all coming together. This was in the middle, so now we got to get to the lake and then in between.”
A Smart Investment for the Future
Kristie Sievers said she often walks through Osborne Park and saw the courts being used even before the ribbon cutting. “I know they’re going to be used and I know it was money well spent by the city,” she said. She added that Mayor Robert Fiala and other city officials visit the area often and take part in community talks.
“I’m having ward meetings constantly,” she said. “I actually have one on May 21 at the lakeside pavilion and the mayor will be there. I’m forcing council to come up. We have so many events here at Osborne Park throughout the year.”
Looking ahead, Sievers believes there are more areas in the city that could be used to build additional pickleball courts. She said one possible site is where the Euclid Avenue Pool used to be because the city owns land there.
News in Brief: Osborne Park Opens New Pickleball Courts
Willoughby opened eight new pickleball courts at Osborne Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mayor Robert Fiala called it the start of a larger park improvement plan. Officials say the courts will bring people to the area and could lead to more courts being built in the city in the future.
ALSO READ: Montecito YMCA Introduces New Pickleball Courts with Grand Opening Celebration